7/7 Memorial Dedicated

"It is quite shocking, whoever did it was aiming for publicity and to cause maximum grief," he said.

He said he would not be attending the event today but would be observing the anniversary in "quiet" with candles in memorial to his partner.

Scotland Yard said police had launched an investigation into the vandalism.

A statement said: "Officers were called by a member of the public shortly before 3.30 this morning and informed of the graffiti, which is being treated as criminal damage.

"The graffiti consisted of several short sentences written in red and black paint and has now been cleaned off the memorial.

"Inquiries continue led by officers from Westminster - there have been no arrests at this time."

7/7 Memorial Dedicated

7/7 Memorial Dedicated

1

of

14

Share this slide:

A spokeswoman for the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace, which is organising the memorial, said Transport for London and Royal Parks staff had joined in the clean-up of the graffiti.

"Today is about the families and the survivors, we are disappointed that it happened, especially for them, but the Royal Parks and Transport for London came out in force and it was cleaned up within a couple of hours," she said.

"They made sure that it is as it should be for today."

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "I am shocked and saddened by this incident. It is completely unacceptable and the Metropolitan police is already investigating.

"I am pleased that the graffiti has been removed so quickly and that today's commemoration ceremony can go ahead as planned.

"The focus today should be, and indeed will be, on honouring the 52 innocent people who died on 7/7, the survivors and all those affected by the terrible events of nine years ago."